Criminal Appeals Court Grants Ape Same Basic Rights as Her Human Captors Geographical
go to original January 20, 2015

Argentinians think ape Sandra is entitled to her rights (Zoomin.TV UK)

A high-level Argentine criminal appeals court has granted an ape the same basic rights as her human captors, setting a precedent for future challenges regarding animals in captivity.

Sandra, a 29-year-old female orangutan – born in captivity and a 20-year resident in Buenos Aires Zoo – has been granted the right to life, liberty and freedom from harm within Argentina. She is now expected to be transferred to a sanctuary or another suitable home.

The case started when The Association of Professional Lawyers for Animal Rights in Argentina (Afada) filed a habeas corpus petition in November 2014 on Sandra’s behalf. While initially unsuccessful, the appeals court overturned the original decision. ‘This opens the way not only for other Great Apes, but also for other sentient beings which are unfairly and arbitrarily deprived of their liberty,’ Paul Buompadre, Afada’s lawyer, was quoted as saying in La Nacion.

Read the rest at Geographical

Photo: Shutterstock

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